Suzi 'Thunder' 250 on way to SA

Coming to South Africa in August - meet the Suzuki Inazuma 250 that, its maker says, will hit freeway speeds and do 3.3 litres/100km.

No prices are available yet, a local Suzy dealer told Wheels24, but in the UK they retail for the equivalent of R45 500.

Suzuki Britain has announced pricing, availability and fuel-consumption data for the Inazuma 250. Suzuki SA doesn't have a 250 motorcycle - the closest is a GN125E that bills at R11 000 - so there's going to have to be something special on the Inazuma.

The Inazuma 250, we are told, will (in the UK) have a two-year warranty and a year's roadside assistance when sold and (in UK terms, at least) "offers exceptional value for money for a machine of its capacity and quality". And the word itself? Inazuma apparently translates to Thunder in Japanese (which is a bit of a stretch for a 250).

TWO COLOURS

The bike was first seen at Motorcycle Live in 2011 and, Suzuki says, can maintain motorway (120km/h speeds).

Suzuki GB's Paul de Lusignan said: "Since we announced the Inazuma 250 we have been very pleased to see the level of interest it has generated both at Motorcycle Live and in our showrooms. With this newly announced price, 250cc power and superb fuel economy it’s a very real alternative for the commuter.

"Combine this with Suzuki's renowned reliability and our superb dealer network and its fair to say that the Inazuma offers excellent value and peace of mind motorcycling."